Salary range is $95k to $175k, with a midpoint of $135k.  New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

GENERAL PURPOSE:  

Under general direction, manages, supervises, and coordinates the oversight and auditing of the Agency contractor operator for Central Link light rail train service; develops, manages and audits annual operating budget; responsible for the operational design criteria and identifies and sets up operational requirements for systems and civil designs; establishes train service requirements and associated schedules and headways; reviews design submittals, fire/life safety elements of the system, coordination of design and service elements with both internal and external stake holders, such as cities, county, emergency responder services, and systems interfaces for operational functionality; develops Operations Plans and Fleet Management Plans for the existing lines and plans for future lines; provides leadership to the division in support of department/division goals and assures adherence to goals, policies, and procedures; and represents the division/department in both internal and external venues as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned staff; assigns work activities and coordinates schedules, projects, and programs; provides constructive feedback; reviews and evaluates work and makes effective suggestions and recommendations.

• Coaches, trains and motivates staff; coordinates and/or provides staff training; and manages employee relations; manages the workflow and prioritization of projects and measures the performance of the division and all related staff and takes appropriate corrective action when necessary; provides advice and counsel to staff; develops developmental work plans for staff; implements or recommends corrective actions, discipline and termination procedures as appropriate/necessary.

• Provides oversight and management for the operations of the Central Link light rail system by the Agency’s contractor; approves staffing plan; negotiates the annual operations & maintenance (O&M) budget; assigns additional work; reviews invoices and recommending payment; approves additional equipment and budget; provides support to assist the contractor to become successful in delivering services.

• Prepares, executes, and monitors Operations Plans and Fleet Management Plans for current designs and for each new segmental openings; prepares and monitors the (O&M) budgets for current light rail operations and establishes O&M cost estimates for each new operating segment as part of the federal transit administration (FTA) required New Starts Application for the Agency; coordinates and establishes an agreement with the FTA appointed Project Management Oversight Consultant on all operational issues and elements of the fleet size for each segment; reviews all systems and civil design submittals to ensure operational functionality has been incorporated into the design and ensure comments are returned with the required schedule; provides on-going operational support to the ST2 design team by developing O&M cost estimates, fleet management plans, and operational plans.

• Provides support to the Rail Activation Team in planning and executing all operational requirements such as developing Standard Operating Procedures, Standard Maintenance Procedures, and Rule Books (one for test operations and another for revenue service); develops scopes of work for King County to perform, negotiate a budget, track associated costs, and negotiates start-up budgets.

• Prepares, executes and monitors 3rd Party Agreements with cities of Seattle, Tukwila and SeaTac; identifies working relationships, scopes of work and responsibilities related to the right-of-way, maintenance and access to Link stations and other areas in proximity to the rail system; prepares, executes and monitors agreements with the King County Radio System on train radio frequency usage, maintenance of radios, access fees for radio usage, and costs for maintenance of these radios.

• Chairs a Sound Transit and King County Metro Rules & Procedures Committee for reviewing and approving all Standard Operating Procedures, Standard Maintenance Procedures and the Operating Rule Book.

• Actively participates and provides operational direction on a variety of committees including Fire/Life Safety Committee, Rules & Procedures Committee, APTA Rail Standards and Practices Committee, and APTA Light Rail Technical Forum.

• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, priorities and budgets for assigned projects, services, and functional area within the Division; and makes recommendations and forecasts for future funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies.

• Provides support to the division/department and others on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of committees as assigned; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.

• Champions and models Sound Transit’s core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.

• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.

• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.

• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.

• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, planning, facilities management, business administration, or closely related field and five years of management experience in rail transit system planning and operations, project management, and working with designers of rail transit systems that includes three years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience, preferably in a transit/transportation related environment with multiple facility/office locations; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid state driver’s license.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

• National Incident Management Systems certification.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Principals and practices of Light Rail Transit operations and maintenance.

• APTA Rail Standards & Practices, design criteria, federal reports such as those from FTA, NATB.

• Pertinent federal, state and local laws that apply to light rail transit operations, such as the National Fire Prevention Codes (NFPA 72 and 130).

• Interpreting and applying applicable standard operation procedures, standard maintenance procedures, operating rules, federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.

• Contract management.

• Principles and practices of program development and administration.

• Contract procurement strategies and management principles.

• Policy and procedure development.

• Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.

• Principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.

• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.

• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.

• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.

• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.

• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.

• Interpreting and using all types of operating manuals related to a light rail system.

• Interpreting and applying applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.

• Procurement of goods and services.

• Principles of research and analysis.

• Policy and procedure development.

• Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.

• Responding to inquiries and in effective oral and written communication.

• Applying advanced project management and program development techniques and principles.

• Working cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies.

• Developing and monitoring departmental and program/project operating budgets, costs, and schedules.

• Supervising, leading, and delegating tasks and authority.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:  

• Work is performed in a standard office environment.

• Subject to standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting of objects up to 50 pounds; may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, infectious disease, and extreme noise when conducting site visits and working in the field.

• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)